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The Guardian Politics27 Apr 2026

Free bus travel to first-homes fund: what Scottish parties are promising on the campaign trail

Advent of Reform has radically altered the dynamics of the campaign and parties are responding accordingly Polls predict a gravity-defying fifth term at Holyrood for the Scottish National party – albeit on a much reduced vote share – but the advent of Reform UK has radically altered the dynamics of the election campaign. The manifesto pledges set out below reveal how established parties are responding, however, a lack of engagement with an estimated £5bn hole in Scottish government finances by t

PoliticsReformHousing
The Guardian Politics27 Apr 2026

Call for vote on inquiry into claims Starmer lied over Mandelson dismissed by Labour grandees – UK politics live

Alan Johnson and David Blunkett say Tory proposal for a privileges committee inquiry is a ‘nakedly political stunt’ Good morning. Kemi Badenoch is trying to get Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker, to give MPs a vote on a proposal to get the Commons privileges committee to investigate allegations that Keir Starmer lied to MPs in statements he made to them about the vetting of Peter Mandelson. Other opposition parties may be backing her, but we don’t know for sure because the process is relatively secret;

Politics
The Guardian Politics27 Apr 2026

Senior Labour figures say call for new Mandelson investigation is a ‘political stunt’

Conservatives expected to push for privileges committee involvement in a Commons vote on Monday A series of senior Labour figures have dismissed calls for a new investigation into what Keir Starmer told MPs about the appointment of Peter Mandelson as political point scoring, before a possible Commons vote on the issue. The Conservatives have called for the cross-party privileges committee, the remit of which includes examining whether MPs broke rules, to look at whether the prime minister misled

Politics
The Guardian Politics27 Apr 2026

Zombie politics is the new norm and Starmer’s dying premiership is the latest instalment | Nesrine Malik

Distracted, listless and unambitious – the PM’s true form has finally emerged. But whatever comes next must end this ruinous cycle Finally, belatedly, an honest portrait of Keir Starmer has been allowed to form. It’s been a hell of a journey. At first he was sanctified as the Labour saviour, finally arrived. That gave way to pleas that he was essentially a good sort, new to politics and in need of time. Now an impression is emerging that he is, in fact, quite a bad egg. To quote a brutal recent

Politics
The Guardian Politics26 Apr 2026

UK government move to delay social media ban faces pushback in Lords

Peers and campaigners say proposal for three-year window to impose controls breaks promise of quick action Peers will vote on Monday on a government move that could delay action on children’s access to social media for up to three years, which has triggered a backlash from campaigners and senior figures in the Lords. Ministers tabled an amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill that would allow them to wait before introducing new restrictions, Critics warn it risks watering down ear

PoliticsDefenceEducation
The Guardian Politics26 Apr 2026

Royal Mail investigating claims that postal worker ‘binned Reform UK election leaflets’

Message on private Facebook group for staff said: ‘I dumped them all in a bin. They can sack me!’ Royal Mail is investigating allegations that a postal worker claimed to have “dumped” Reform UK campaign leaflets in a bin ahead of Thursday’s local elections. A post on a Facebook group for Royal Mail staff said: “My DO had reform party’s D2D today. I dumped them all in a bin. They can sack me! Idgaf!” Continue reading...

PoliticsReform
The Guardian Politics26 Apr 2026

The Guardian view on Starmer’s Mandelson gamble: his political judgment faces scrutiny in pivotal week | Editorial

Conflicting accounts will be tested in parliament. The outcome may not be decisive, but risks reinforcing concerns about PM’s leadership It is unlikely that events this week at the foreign affairs select committee will deliver a knockout blow to Sir Keir Starmer over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s US ambassador. Westminster will instead see a stress test, forcing competing versions of events into the open – a risk for Downing Street if the story crystallises unfavourably. The fi

Politics
The Guardian Politics26 Apr 2026

Lonely at the top: who are Keir Starmer’s allies as daunting May elections loom?

Prime minister has shed trusted staffers but can still turn to many genuine friends in and out of government UK politics live – latest updates Given that the signs of an embattled premiership are all around – defensive-sounding interviews insisting he will be in post at the next election; a rush of stories about supposed cabinet plotting – now, more than ever, Keir Starmer needs real allies. And here, at least, there is something to feel positive about. If you talk to most Labour MPs, Starmer

Politics
The Guardian Politics26 Apr 2026

Keir Starmer vows to lead Labour into next general election after bruising week

Prime minister says his job is not at risk over Mandelson vetting as allies back him against claims of wrongdoing Keir Starmer has said he will lead Labour into the next general election as his Downing Street allies denied claims of any wrongdoing over the appointment and vetting of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, told Sky News’s Trevor Phillips on Sunday show that “no wrongdoing by the prime minister has been proven in relation to Lord

Politics
The Guardian Politics26 Apr 2026

Voters contend with ‘grotesque’ leaflets and ‘dodgy’ data in English elections

Exclusive: Investigation into campaigning materials for local polls in May challenges tactical voting claims Election leaflets are providing “grotesque” information about how to vote tactically in the May elections, using national polling data, “dodgy” bar charts and doorstep surveys to support claims about parties’ chances of winning. Leaflets distributed by local politicians across England are claiming that either only their party can win, or another party “can’t win here” when “there is no g

Politics
The Guardian Politics26 Apr 2026

Starmer says ‘vast majority’ of Labour still supports him, despite Mandelson controversy – UK politics live

Prime minister says ‘you never hear from … the people who are supportive, loyal and just want to get on with the job’ Good morning and welcome to today’s live coverage of UK politics. Despite several calls for his resignation from within his own party, Keir Starmer told the Sunday Times that the “vast majority” of the Labour party are supportive of his leadership. Continue reading...

Politics
The Guardian Politics26 Apr 2026

Dozens of MPs oppose Streeting’s new power to say what NHS pays for drugs

Health secretary’s ‘power grab’ to override Nice comes amid growing concern move may be illegal and benefit big pharma Dozens of MPs are opposing Wes Streeting’s decision to award himself power to dictate what the NHS pays for drugs amid growing concern the move may be illegal. Thirty-one MPs have signed a House of Commons motion voicing their disapproval of the health secretary being handed the power to override the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (Nice) judgment on how much

PoliticsDefenceHealthcare